NYC Website Goes Down in Advance of Hurricane Irene

The city’s website likely was overwhelmed by people looking for information about the hurricane.

Hurricane Irene hasn’t hit New York City yet, but it’s already causing havoc in the Big Apple.

The New York Timesreported that the city’s official website, www.nyc.gov, was down on the morning of Friday, Aug. 26. The news outlet suggested that the site was overwhelmed by people looking for information about the hurricane. As of 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, however, the site was back online.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. In what New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg called a “first time” for the city, he ordered a mandatory evacuation of various coastal areas of the city’s five boroughs, covering roughly 250,000 people.

The New York Times said New York City “may be a victim of its own campaign to publicize warnings about the storm,” as Bloomberg has made numerous announcements pushing people to NYC.gov for safety tips and evacuation zone maps.

Hurricane Apps and Social Media

If you’re on the move in New York City, or somewhere in Hurricane Irene’s path, don’t worry, there’s a variety of apps available to keep you up-to-date on the latest safety information. The Weather Channel provides a free app for iPhone and Android users, while people who prefer high-definition imagery can drop $4 for HurricaneHD, which provides video coverage and storm bulletins.

Social media users can also subscribe to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Twitter feed for preparation notes and emergency response efforts.